Hills-Beaver Creek, Jackson County Central learn state opponents

The seedings and pairings have been announced for next week's Minnesota State Boys Basketball Tournament.

Hills-Beaver Creek is representing Section 3 in the Class A tournament, which will tip off one week from today at Target Center in Minneapolis. The Patriots, who have an overall record of 27-3 this season, defeated Red Rock Central, Edgerton and Southwest Minnesota Christian in the 3A South Subsection before toppling No. 2-ranked Central Minnesota Christian 77-70 in the section title game.

H-BC has the No. 5 seed in the state tournament and will face fourth-seeded Southland of Section 1 at 1 p.m. next Thursday. The Rebels are ranked third in the state and have a record of 28-1; they've won 25 straight after an 80-71 loss to Rushford-Peterson on Dec. 22. The Patriots-Southland victor will advance to the semifinals, which will take place at noon next Friday at Williams Arena. The state title game will be at 11 a.m. the following day at Williams Arena.

In State Class AA, Jackson County Central is representing Section 3 after earning postseason triumphs over Pipestone Area, Fairmont, third-ranked Montevideo and No. 1-ranked Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta. The Huskies, who are 25-6, will take on fifth-seeded Albany of Section 6 at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Target Center. Albany, also known as the Huskies, are 24-6 and turned back Melrose 55-35 to take sectionals.

The winner advances to a semifinal matchup set for 6 p.m. next Friday at Williams Arena. The state title game is 5 p.m. the following day at Williams Arena.